- I took a Mediterranean cruise in 2023 and stopped at Marina di Carrara, a lesser-known Italian port.
- I visited an active quarry in the Apuan Alps of Carrara — home to the coveted Carrara marble.
- The port’s unique landscape and history, paired with a lack of crowds, make it a hidden gem.
I’ve stopped in 10 cruise ports, from the US to the Caribbean to the Mediterranean. I’ve even been to some of the busiest cruise ports in the world, such as Barcelona and Cozumel, Mexico, where I stood in long lines and shuffled through crowds to find my tour guides.
But my favorite port wasn’t crowded — and that’s not the only reason it stood out to me.
subscribers.
Become an Insider
and start reading now.
Have an account? .
On the coast of Tuscany, Marina di Carrara is chiefly for industrial ships. According to Cruise Critic, not many cruise ships stop there — making it ideal for travelers who want to avoid tourist traps.
Marina di Carrara has marvelous mountain landscapes and a unique history of luxurious, coveted marble worth diving into.
I think it’s a hidden-gem destination in the Mediterranean. Check it out.
